Family connections: From special recruitment by the county committee to the pinnacle of power

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chenguang's expression immediately improved, and he even gave Xu Hansheng a grateful look.

If Xu Hansheng had gone along with Wang Yu and spoken his mind, he would have been truly in trouble.

While thanking Xu Hansheng, Zhang Chenguang cursed Liu Xiaoguang in his heart.

The order was repeatedly emphasized that the cattle farm in Xingping Village should be the center, and all the special woodlands and wastelands around it should be carefully measured to conduct preliminary research for subsequent construction.

It turned out that Liu Xiaoguang was deliberately targeting him.

He copied the data once and handed it in. Luckily, Xu Hansheng didn't embarrass him, otherwise he would have lost face big time.

After seeing Wang Yu off, Xu Hansheng smiled and said, "Secretary Zhang, please forgive my rudeness. Wang Yu is new to the job and doesn't have much experience. He's making a big fuss over such a small thing."

"Secretary Zhang, I apologize to you with tea instead of wine."

Zhang Chenguang hurriedly stood up, holding his teacup, and said, "Section Chief Xu, what are you saying? I'm truly ashamed."

As he spoke, Zhang Chenguang glanced at his watch and saw that it was already 11:20 a.m. He hurriedly put down his teacup and said to Xu Hansheng, "Section Chief Xu, there's no need for us to use tea instead of wine. I happen to have two bottles of good wine stored here."

"It's already noon, and none of us have eaten yet. Let's get together and keep in touch. We should stay in touch for a long time."

As he spoke, Zhang Chenguang quickly stepped forward, grabbed Xu Hansheng's arm without saying a word, and said enthusiastically, "Section Chief Xu, I absolutely have to have a few drinks with you at noon today."

"People say that a thousand cups of wine are not enough when drinking with a bosom friend. We may not drink a thousand cups, but we must drink until we're drunk."

Seeing that he couldn't refuse, Xu Hansheng had no choice but to follow Zhang Chenguang out of the office.

As they passed the conference room, Zhang Chenguang gave Dai Shujie a wink.

The latter immediately understood and said to Wang Yu, Zhao Dongxu, and the others, "Comrade Wang Yu, Comrade Zhao Dongxu, it's already noon, hasn't anyone eaten yet?"

"Let's go, let's go, the cafeteria is all ready. If we go late, the food will get cold."

Liu Xiaoguang and several officials from relevant departments also stepped forward to persuade him.

Wang Yu and Zhao Dongxu exchanged glances, and seeing that Xu Hansheng also gave them a subtle nod, the two stood up and said to Chen Ling, "Let's go eat together."

Chen Ling was naturally happy. She put down her pen and paper and followed the others toward the cafeteria.

After taking only a few steps, Dai Shujie suddenly remembered that there was someone surnamed Xu still loitering in the reception room. So he stopped and said to Liu Xiaoguang, "Director Liu, go to the reception room and call that Xu guy from earlier."

Liu Xiaoguang frowned and said, "Is this appropriate? He and Section Chief Xu aren't working together."

Dai Shujie frowned and said, "Didn't you hear what Section Chief Xu said? That guy surnamed Xu used to supervise Section Chief Xu for a while. Go quickly!"

Liu Xiaoguang suddenly realized and said, "Okay, I'll go right now."

After saying that, Liu Xiaoguang quickly ran into the reception room.

Xu He had been eagerly anticipating Liu Xiaoguang's arrival. He hurriedly stood up, but before he could even speak, Liu Xiaoguang grabbed Xu He's arm and said, "Director Xu, I'm so sorry."

"I've been so busy these past few days, making you run around several times for nothing. Don't worry, your business is my business today. Come on, let's go grab something to eat first."

After saying that, Liu Xiaoguang ignored Xu He's attempts to evade the question and pulled Xu He towards the door.

It wasn't that Xu He didn't want to go to the dinner, but sitting opposite Xu Hansheng made him feel embarrassed.

The new recruits he trained are now honored guests of the town's Party Secretary, and what about him?

I came here early in the morning to handle some business, which was simply to get a stamp from the land office, but Liu Xiaoguang kept me waiting all morning.

In the end, he still benefited from Xu Hansheng's influence, living off him. Anyone would find it hard to get over that mental hurdle.

Before long, when Liu Xiaoguang pulled Xu He into the cafeteria, Xu Hansheng and the others were already sitting around the table.

Xu He followed Liu Xiaoguang to the last seat and sat down, forcing a smile on his face as he smiled obsequiously at Xu Hansheng, Wang Yu, and the others.

Zhang Chenguang took a bottle of Moutai directly from the clerk, poured a glass for Xu Hansheng, and then filled his own glass.

"Secretary Zhang, I'll do it."

Liu Xiaoguang hurriedly got up, walked quickly to Zhang Chenguang, bowed, took the wine bottle from Zhang Chenguang's hand, and poured a glass for everyone present.

But when it came to Xu He, he hurriedly covered the wine glass with his hand and said, "Oh dear, this won't do. I have to go back to the county government this afternoon. It wouldn't be good if Section Chief Wang smelled the wine."

Liu Xiaoguang frowned, paused for a moment, and then turned to look at Zhang Chenguang.

Seeing the latter nod slightly, Liu Xiaoguang sat back down in his seat and poured himself a glass.

Zhang Chenguang, holding his wine glass, looked at Xu Hansheng and smiled, "Section Chief Xu, you've come from afar, please offer me a toast?"

Xu Hansheng smiled, picked up his wine glass, glanced at everyone present, and said with a faint smile, "Since Secretary Zhang and all the leaders have graced us with their presence, I'll just say a few words."

"First of all, I would like to express my special thanks to Secretary Zhang and all the leaders of Longping Town for their hospitality."

"It is a great honor to have the opportunity to meet all of you here today. I will be troubling you all again in the coming month, and I would like to thank you all in advance."

"Of course, if there's anything I can help with in the future, feel free to contact me anytime. Even if there's nothing much, when you get to the county, be sure to give me a call so I can do my part as a host."

"It's fate that we can all gather together today. I propose we raise a glass together to wish everyone success in your work, continuous progress every day, and reaching new heights every year. I'll start with a toast, and everyone else can drink as they please."

After saying that, Xu Hansheng tilted his head back and drank a glass of wine.

Zhang Zhenguang and the others also raised their glasses and drank them down in one gulp.

"Well said."

"Section Chief Xu, let me toast you."

"Section Chief Xu, please have some food."

The more people fawned over Xu Hansheng, the more heartbroken Xu He felt.

Once, an opportunity for advancement was presented to him, but unfortunately, he failed to cherish it...

Just then, the head chef from the kitchen brought out another cup of cold dish and placed it directly in front of Zhang Chenguang and Xu Hansheng.

Zhang Chenguang pointed with his chopsticks to the cold yellow mushroom salad on the plate and said, "Section Chief Xu, please try this. I first tasted this way of eating mushrooms last year when I was studying in another city."

"It tastes really good."

Xu Hansheng glanced at the plate and saw that it contained small mushroom heads, only about two centimeters long, which had been stir-fried in hot water and then served as a cold dish in the simplest way.

To be honest, Xu Hansheng had never eaten mushrooms like this before.

Just as Xu Hansheng picked up his chopsticks, about to grab a bite, Xu He, who had been holding back for a long time, suddenly spoke up: "These mushrooms are too small. When I come to Longping Town again sometime, I'll bring some bigger ones for Secretary Zhang..."

Swish!

Everyone at the table was stunned; the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.